September 23, 2024
Dog Grooming Advice from a Samoyed Owner
At 27 years old, Šarlote is the proud owner of Sammy, a 4-year-old Samoyed who quickly stole her heart.
“I had a couple of breeds in mind when I was choosing our first dog but then suddenly I saw a post from Sammy's breeder and I just felt like that's gonna be my first dog, a Samoyed”
After answering a few questions from the breeder and getting approved, she began her journey as a first-time dog owner, with multiple visits to see Sammy before finally bringing him home. With a fluffy dog like a Samoyed in the home the new life as a dog owner came with a responsibility of care and grooming.
Maintaining Sammy's beautiful, fluffy coat is no easy task, but Šarlote has developed a routine that works for both of them.
"I usually brush him thoroughly once a week with a slicker brush and then a metal comb - it's important to brush in small sections to brush out mats in undercoat,” she explains. Though the thorough brushing is once a week, she does brush him daily too. The daily upkeep is simpler, as she just runs the slicker brush through his coat to keep it neat and presentable.
Interestingly, Sammy only needs a bath only 3 to 4 times a year, thanks to the self-cleaning nature of his coat.
“Samoyeds have a magical coat that basically cleans itself - all dirt just falls out when dry, then if necessary I use a dog grooming dryer to get out any remaining debris. Mostly just a good brush session gets his coat back to white and fluffy. I brush him very regularly which results in his coat looking like he’s just come out of a bath, even if he hasn't had a bath in months”
When it comes to grooming challenges, Šarlote highlights two: mats and shedding.
"The biggest challenge is probably getting out mats, especially after swimming, and the shedding season brushing."
Certain areas—like behind Sammy’s ears, elbows, and collar area—are prone to mats. While brushing during shedding season can be time-consuming, it's essential for maintaining the health of his coat. Not grooming a dog such as a Samoyed is simply not an option.
"I mainly use two brushes—a slicker brush and a metal comb—as well as three types of scissors for trimming his paw fur."
Trimming his paws twice a month not only keeps Sammy looking sharp but also prevents winter snow, ice, and salt from irritating his paws. For occasional mats, a detangling spray helps make the process smoother.
When asked if her grooming routine changes with the seasons, Šarlote says not much shifts except during shedding season. Grooming is needed year around.
After longer sessions, he’s rewarded with a delicious treat and a longer walk, making the experience more enjoyable.
"Samoyed coats take a lot of water to get fully wet. I start with a bit of whitening shampoo, rinse it and then I shampoo him twice with a professional shampoo. After that we use conditioner for a few minutes before rinsing again.”
After rinsing, Šarlote uses the Siccaro drying coat which absorbs 90% if the moisture out of a dog’s fur in just 15-30 minutes. She also swears by her dog grooming dryer which effectively dries a thick, fluffy coat as Sammy’s.
“Right after baths he gets the drying coat on for a bit and then I start drying with the dryer. When he's dry I brush him and he's all done.”
She also uses the drying coat during the warmer spring and summer months when Sammy goes swimming.
For those worried about time, she emphasised that having such a fluffy dog takes time and effort and a full bath and grooming session can take up to five hours. You can’t just skip it as mats aren’t just an aesthetic concern; they can lead to skin infections if neglected.
“When considering a fluffy breed make sure you will have time to take care of his coat properly and don't take fluffy breeds just for their looks, they have to be groomed regularly to look like that.”
And then there’s the shedding. You have to be ready to have your home, furniture, and clothes covered in fur, especially during shedding season.
“But despite the maintenance, Samoyeds are amazing dogs and cuddling them is like cuddling a cloud.”
“I had a couple of breeds in mind when I was choosing our first dog but then suddenly I saw a post from Sammy's breeder and I just felt like that's gonna be my first dog, a Samoyed”
After answering a few questions from the breeder and getting approved, she began her journey as a first-time dog owner, with multiple visits to see Sammy before finally bringing him home. With a fluffy dog like a Samoyed in the home the new life as a dog owner came with a responsibility of care and grooming.
"I usually brush him thoroughly once a week with a slicker brush and then a metal comb - it's important to brush in small sections to brush out mats in undercoat,” she explains. Though the thorough brushing is once a week, she does brush him daily too. The daily upkeep is simpler, as she just runs the slicker brush through his coat to keep it neat and presentable.
Interestingly, Sammy only needs a bath only 3 to 4 times a year, thanks to the self-cleaning nature of his coat.
“Samoyeds have a magical coat that basically cleans itself - all dirt just falls out when dry, then if necessary I use a dog grooming dryer to get out any remaining debris. Mostly just a good brush session gets his coat back to white and fluffy. I brush him very regularly which results in his coat looking like he’s just come out of a bath, even if he hasn't had a bath in months”
Overcoming Grooming Challenges
"The biggest challenge is probably getting out mats, especially after swimming, and the shedding season brushing."
Certain areas—like behind Sammy’s ears, elbows, and collar area—are prone to mats. While brushing during shedding season can be time-consuming, it's essential for maintaining the health of his coat. Not grooming a dog such as a Samoyed is simply not an option.
Essential Grooming Tools and Techniques
For grooming, Šarlote keeps her toolkit simple yet effective."I mainly use two brushes—a slicker brush and a metal comb—as well as three types of scissors for trimming his paw fur."
Trimming his paws twice a month not only keeps Sammy looking sharp but also prevents winter snow, ice, and salt from irritating his paws. For occasional mats, a detangling spray helps make the process smoother.
When asked if her grooming routine changes with the seasons, Šarlote says not much shifts except during shedding season. Grooming is needed year around.
Making Grooming an Enjoyable Experience
Creating a positive grooming environment for Sammy has been a priority since day one. "His breeder introduced him to brushing with treats, and I’ve continued that," Šarlote explains. While Sammy may not love grooming, he’s patient and still during sessions, knowing that treats and affection await him afterward. “I praise him, cuddle him, give him kisses and we take short breaks if there's a lot of brushing to be done.“After longer sessions, he’s rewarded with a delicious treat and a longer walk, making the experience more enjoyable.
Bathing and Drying Tips
With only a few baths per year, Šarlote's bathing routine for Sammy is thorough."Samoyed coats take a lot of water to get fully wet. I start with a bit of whitening shampoo, rinse it and then I shampoo him twice with a professional shampoo. After that we use conditioner for a few minutes before rinsing again.”
After rinsing, Šarlote uses the Siccaro drying coat which absorbs 90% if the moisture out of a dog’s fur in just 15-30 minutes. She also swears by her dog grooming dryer which effectively dries a thick, fluffy coat as Sammy’s.
She also uses the drying coat during the warmer spring and summer months when Sammy goes swimming.
Advice for New Long-Haired Dog Owners
Šarlote’s advice for anyone considering a fluffy, long-haired dog like a Samoyed is to be prepared for the work: "They are high-maintenance. Their coat needs to be taken care of regularly, at least once a week and if you're going to dog shows even more frequent baths will be necessary."“When considering a fluffy breed make sure you will have time to take care of his coat properly and don't take fluffy breeds just for their looks, they have to be groomed regularly to look like that.”
And then there’s the shedding. You have to be ready to have your home, furniture, and clothes covered in fur, especially during shedding season.
“But despite the maintenance, Samoyeds are amazing dogs and cuddling them is like cuddling a cloud.”
